The Illinois basketball class of 2021 is not even close to being finished.
I say this knowing that the class of 2021 has a chance at being one of the best groups of players brought into the program that we have ever seen. There have been some really good ones in the past too.
The class of 2020 is one of the best with two top 50 players and a couple of big men who could help the team in the future. This class ended with a ranked No. 17 in the nation.
Just two years before that group in 2020, Illinois brought in another special class. Led by top 35 recruit Ayo Dosunmu, the class of 2018 had multiple four-star recruits and a junior college transfer who was a beast at point guard. This class was No. 25 in the nation.
The class of 2013 was a special one on paper too. With two four-star recruits, both from the state of Illinois, this class had a chance to be really special. Two of the commitments were in the top 70 and all five pledges were in the top 210 in the nation. Illinois finished ranked No. 13 in that recruiting class.
So, historically, Illinois has been able to bring in some solid classes. But the class of 2021 has a chance to be more than solid. This class has a chance to be legendary. There is a possibility Illinois can pull in four top 100 players and land a top 10 class nationally. That is what is at stake here. But we need to land a certain group of players.
Here is my dream class of 2021 for the Illini.